Truth is, I have never had a green thumb. I gave up years ago and have since left the landscaping in the capable hands of my husband. So when I brought up the idea of growing some of our own vegetables, all I got was a look that said “don’t go there”. But I love veggies and the kids were totally into the idea. In the midst of reading up, I had a “duh” moment. I didn’t have to section off a portion of the yard. I was going to grow my organic produce in outdoor planters! Brilliant.
Not only were we going to reap the benefits of having fresh produce, but the planters themselves were a full decor thumbs up! I could see it – the varieties of lettuce would go into those long, rectangular planters. The tomatoes could thrive in medium pots or hanging baskets. One of the best tips I got was to plant basil next to the tomato plants. Not only does it serve as a natural pest repellant but will even improve the flavor of the tomatoes! Who knew? Luckily, basil and other herbs are simple to grow as well. Finally, in hopes of one day making delicious veggie spaghetti, I would find a large, eclectic planter to grow the zucchini.
With my husband over seeing every step, the kids and I diligently prepared the soil. We planted the seeds, provided ample water, and put them in position to receive at least six hours of sunlight a day. Kudos to the hubby for suggesting that we put the planters on casters so we could easily move our garden around as the sun changes direction.
Once our crops were planted, we artfully arranged the large planters and added a charming bench. The kids put on the finishing touch by surrounding them with smaller pots of colorful flowers and a handmade sign to create the look of our own green market. Now we will continue to water and wait. If all goes to plan, we should be enjoying our fresh veggies in about 8-10 weeks. I’ll keep you posted!
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